Brockville, St Lawrence and 1000 Islands in Ontario

Brockville, formerly named Elizabethtown, is also called the "City of the Thousand Islands" and the "Pride of the St. Lawrence River" and is a lovely destination - not only for history lovers.

Fulford Place
This turn-of-the-century Edwardian style mansion, which is on the St. Lawrence River in Brockville, Ontario makes an incredibly interesting visit.  The building and its surrounding grounds demonstrate what the utmost in privilege and wealth could afford at the beginning of the last century.

Built between 1899 and 1901, at a then-staggering cost of $100,000, Fulford Place was designed by the prestigious American architect William Fuller for his millionaire client, George T. Fulford.  He was a Canadian businessman who made his fortune selling "Pink Pills for Pale People."  This medicine, the rights to which Fulford purchased in 1890 for $53.01, was essentially an iron supplement and was touted as a cure-all for many ailments including, "rheumatism, heart palpitations (and) all forms of weakness in male or female."

He was also a local alderman, a Liberal senator, and philanthropist, friend to politicians, royalty and foreign dignitaries.  His international connections and influence allowed him to hire the best professionals and craftspeople to construct his 20,000-square-foot, 35-room mansion on prime waterfront property.

Lovely Gardens
The elaborate 10-acre property gardens were originally laid out by the design firm of Frederick Olmsted, the landscape architect responsible for both New York's Central Park and Montreal's Mount Royal.  Two sections of the original landscape, including an Italianate garden and a lawn parterre have been restored to the original Olmsted design.

Delicious Homemade Refreshments
Homemade lunch and afternoon tea are served where the original laundry room was once.  The delicious homemade afternoon tea (consisting of a choice of finger sandwiches, savories, and sweets) and friendly service will make you feel like we were eating in our great-aunt's summer kitchen.  With only six tables, the room is small but, during warm weather, the tearoom extends onto the covered porch.

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Brockville Mainstreet
Stroll the city's historic district, there are also walking tours from the tourist office, including the lovely area around the Courthouse.  Don’t miss the charming Brockville Museum, and browse the shops along King Street.  Discover lovely specialty stores, pubs and enjoy the amazing British tea and coffee houses in this Canadian gem of a historic town before you head down to the waterfront.

There are lots of events running throughout the summer, including the Ribfest in August, for barbecue lovers or the Riverfest, the annual extravaganza on Blockhouse Island that features color, noise, food and tons of family fun.
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Leisurely St Lawrence River Cruise
designed to introduce visitors to the shoreline delights of Brockville, the seaway and the eastern sector of the Thousand Islands (which number closer to 2,000.  Run by 1000 Islands Cruises, the Brockville-based river tours (there are also tours run out of other communities upriver) come in a variety of possibilities, from one-hour sightseeing outings to relaxing, attractive sunset dinner cruises.  Discover treed islands and lovely lighthouses or shoreline mansions.  It’s a great way to spend an afternoon.  Bring a jacket or sweater, it's considerably cooler on the water.

Find out more about Brockville, Ontario

https://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/en/properties/fulford-place
http://www.brockvilleriverfest.ca
http://www.1000islandscruises.com
http://www.brockvilletourism.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brockville

To find more Canadian Travel Destinations visit also: A Happy Traveler

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Most beautiful villages of Quebec

One of my favoured travel routes is along the St Lawrence river. I wish I would have the time to travel this historic route one day on a bicycle or by canoe.

No matter if you drive the small country roads on the south or north shore between Montreal and Rimouski, you will discover numerous gorgeous towns on your way.

Many of them belong to "a network of authentic heritages villages, located in remarkable landscapes", the "Les plus beaux villages of Quebec".

This week I explored one I haven`t seen before: St.-Antoine-de-Tilly

Located 25 km from Quebec City, a real gem with it`s beautifully restored heritage homes, surrounded by quaint farm country and apple orchards.

A small park dotted with picknick tables on the river shore allows you to watch big ocean freight liners on their way to and from Montreal`s port.

The Manoir de Tilly, built in 1786, serves fine local cuisine, the Bergeron fromagerie offers tastings and tours.

Take your time to explore this and many more beautiful villages along the mighty St Lawrence.

St. Lawrence River Whales

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Impressive Mammals are swimming in the St. Lawrence River.  Every summer hundreds of  Whales are coming from the Atlantic Ocean and share the waters of the St. Lawrence River with Belugas and Seals.  They come here for the abundant food provided by the Labrador Current, a cold water current from the Arctic that travels up the St. Lawrence all the way to the Saguenay Fjord at Tadoussac.

Whales arrive in the spring to eat the plentiful food and depart in the fall, once they have fattened up! The more food a whale eats, the thicker its layer of fat, or blubber, becomes. When it returns to the Atlantic for the winter, the whale will live off its stored fat.
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Whale Watching

For a long time, little was known about the whales of the St. Lawrence until about thirty years ago, when researchers began studying them in earnest and whale-watching became a popular activity.  Some whales make impressive leaps into the air, much to the delight of heir human audience.  Others exhale a spectacular plume of spray at the surface of the water, before taking a deep breath and diving in search of more food.

Hunted for centuries for their blubber, whales are still being followed by people in boats trying to get a good shot - now using cameras instead of harpoons! 

However you don't need to board an expensive zodiac, whales are easily to observe from the shore at sunrise or after sunset.  Observe St. Lawrence Belugas in Sainte-Marguerite Bay all summer long.  Walk to the lookout to see if you can spot the whales!  From May to October many types of Whales are abundant, especially in the area between Tadoussac and Rimouski.
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Kayaking with Whales: http://www.hikebiketravel.com/27192/kayaking-whales-st-lawrence-river/

Best Whale-Watching Spots:  http://www.where.ca/blog/getaway/belugas-and-blues-best-whale-watching-spots-in-quebec/

Threads to the Whales through Oil Pipeline:  http://action2.davidsuzuki.org/belugas

Whale Sightings along the River:  http://www.lonelyplanet.com/canada/travel-tips-and-articles/77280

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